Jake Coyle, Jessica Herndon named Associated Press' new film writers

NEW YORK -- Jake Coyle, an Associated Press entertainment writer based in New York, and Jessica Herndon, a former reporter for People magazine, have been named the AP's new film writers. Coyle will be based in New York City and Herndon will be based in Los Angeles.

"We are excited to have two dynamic writers and reporters covering the film industry to break news about the movies while providing useful, relevant film reviews," said Nekesa Mumbi Moody, the AP's entertainment and lifestyles editor.

"Jake has been an integral part of our film coverage for more than a year, with newsworthy interviews and insightful reviews. Jessica is a proven newsbreaker and a talented writer. Movies remain a huge business enjoyed worldwide by millions of people, and their coverage is important as the industry evolves."

Coyle, 34, has been an AP entertainment writer for the past nine years, contributing to the news agency's Oscar and Grammy coverage, as well as covering film festivals in Cannes, New York and Toronto. He has profiled artists ranging from Woody Allen to Ryan Gosling to Oprah Winfrey, and had one of the last interviews with James Gandolfini. He has also reported on entertainment originating online and music, interviewing such acts as Radiohead.

Coyle is responsible for creating the AP's entertainer of the year award, which has been given to trendsetters such as Taylor Swift and Adele. Coyle is a graduate of Skidmore College.

Herndon, 31, has covered film, contemporary art, fashion, fitness and music throughout her career. Reporting and writing for People magazine for the past several years, she's broken news on such stories as the details surrounding Michael Jackson's death and Angelina Jolie's battle with breast cancer.

Herndon was honored in 2012 with an L.A. Press Club Award for her contribution to People's cover story on Whitney Houston's death. Her work has also appeared in Time, Essence, LA Weekly, Nylon and Flaunt. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside, and also studied screenwriting at UCLA and digital filmmaking at the New York Film Academy.